Multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle having a suction inlet which is movable over a rug to remove dirt therefrom. A brush for removing dirt from a floor is mounted on a diaphragm for movement between upper and lower positions at the vicinity of the suction inlet, the diaphragm forming a wall of a space in communication with a passageway leading to the suction inlet and in which a partial vacuum is developed during operation of the nozzle. A spring acting on the diaphragm tends to bias the brush to its lower position below the suction inlet responsive to a first partial vacuum developed in the space when a floor is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough exceeds a predetermined speed. A second higher partial vacuum is developed in the space when a rug is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough is at or less than the predetermined speed, such higher vacuum overcoming the biasing action of the spring and moving the brush to its upper position at or above the suction inlet. In order to insure that the brush will always move downward from its upper to its lower position, a vertical toggle joint is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to a wall of the space and to the diaphragm and the bend of the toggle is moved horizontally responsive to vertical movement of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm moves upward it causes the toggle bend to move in one direction through dead center to promote movement of the brush to its upper position; and when the diaphragm moves downward with the aid of the spring, it causes the toggle bend to move in the opposite direction to a stable position near dead center. At such stable position the toggle and brush function to support the nozzle when a floor is cleaned, thus eliminating the need for a separate support for the nozzle.

llite States Schwartz [54] MULTl-PURPOSE SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE [72] Inventor: Osten Schwartz, Varmdo, Sweden Q .lonssonm. ..l3/3l9 Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Atrorney-Edmund A Fenander 5 7 ABSTRACT This invention relates to a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle having a suction inlet which is movable over a rug to remove dirt therefrom. A brush for removing dirt from a floor is mounted on a diaphragm for movement between upper and lower positions at the vicinity of the suction inlet, the diaphragm forming a wall of a space in communication with a passageway leading to the suction inlet and in which a partial vacuum is developed during operation of the nozzle.

A spring acting on the diaphragm tends to bias the brush to its lower position below the suction inlet responsive to a first partial vacuum developed in the space when a floor is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough exceeds a predetermined speed. A second higher partial vacuum is developed in the space when a rug is cleaned by the nozzle and the air flow therethrough is at or less than the predetermined speed, such higher vacuum overcoming the biasing action of the spring .and moving the brush to its upper position at or above the suction inlet.

In order to insure that the brush will always move downward from its upper to its lower position, a vertical toggle joint is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to a wall of the space and to the diaphragm and the bend of the toggle is moved horizontally responsive to vertical movement of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm moves upward it causes the toggle bend to move in one direction through dead center to promote movement of the brush to its upper position; and

when the diaphragm moves downward with the aid of the spring, it causes the toggle bend to move in the opposite direction to a stable position near dead center. At such stable position the toggle and brush function to support the nozzle when a floor is cleaned, thus eliminating the need for a separate support for the nozzle.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PETENTEUMAY 9 I972 SHLU 2 OF 2 FIG. 5

MULTll-PURPOSE SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a multi-purpose suction .cleaner nozzle having a suction inlet and a brush mounted for movement on the nozzle between upper and lower positions, the brush in its upper position being at or above the suction inlet and in its lower position below the suction inlet. When the brush is in its upper position the suction inlet is rendered operable to remove dust and dirt from porous objects like carpets and rugs. When the brush is in its lower position the brush is rendered operable to remove dust and dirt from non-porous objects like floors.

2. Description of the Prior Art In known multi-purpose nozzles of the kind heretofore provided the brush is moved pneumatically between its upper and lower positions by a rubber diaphragm to which the brush is connected, such diaphragm forming a wall of a space in communication with the path of air flow of the nozzle which is at a partial vacuum. Due to the partial vacuum developed in the nozzle during normal use, which varies in accordance with the physical characteristics of the object over which the nozzle is moved, the diaphragm will flex to its upper or lower positions and move the brush to its upper or lower positions on the nozzle. The diaphragm is flexed to its lower position with the aid of a spring.

The forces acting on the diaphragm, which are produced by the partial vacuum developed in the nozzle and by the spring, are relatively small. For this reason it is necessary to provide a separate support for the nozzle, such as rollers or wheels, for example, to maintain the brush at the proper height with respect to the object being cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle which may be employed for different types of cleaning.

One factor which influences dust absorption is the speed of the air flow through the nozzle for bodily moving and transporting dust and dirt particles from the object to be cleaned to the dust bag in the suction cleaner. In a moving air stream, movement is imparted to a particle of dust or dirt by a force which is dependent upon positive atmospheric pressure at one side of the particle and a pressure at the opposite side thereof which is at a partial vacuum and below atmospheric pressure. Hence, movement is imparted pneumatically to dust and dirt particles by a force which is dependent upon the difference between atmospheric pressure and the vacuum developed by the cleaner. The speed of the air flow increases with increase in the volume of air moved. The capacity of brushes and nozzles working on objects is a primary and basic consideration which determines the ability of a suction cleaner to absorb dust and dirt.

When brushes are employed to suck and draw dust particles from essentially smooth objects like floors, for example, the pneumatic force just referred to is not as great as it is when a porous object is being cleaned. In cleaning porous objects like carpets, for example, a brush generally is not employed and instead a nozzle is employed having an operating surface which is at the immediate vicinity of the suction inlet opening and disposed about the latter. With a nozzle of this type, dust and dirt must be sucked or drawn from the pores of an object and a higher vacuum is developed in the nozzle passageway so that movement will be imparted pneumatically to dust and dirt particles by the pneumatic force referred to above which is dependent upon the difference between atmospheric pressure and the partial vacuum developed in the nozzle passageway which, under these conditions, is higher than the partial vacuum developed when a brush is employed to clean objects which are essentially smooth and less porous.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved multipurpose suction cleaner nozzle having a number of operating surfaces available and each one of which automatically becomes available to perform a specific type of cleaning depending upon the physical characteristics of the object to be cleaned.

I accomplish this by providing a nozzle having a space which is defined in part by a flexible diaphragm and in communication with a passageway leading to the suction inlet and in which a partial vacuum is developed by a suction cleaner when the nozzle is being operated. A spring acting on the diaphragm tends to bias the brush to its lower position below the suction inlet responsive to a first partial vacuum developed in the space when an object having a smooth surface is being cleaned. A second higher partial vacuum is developed in the space when a porous object like a rug is being cleaned, such higher vacuum overcoming the biasing action of the spring and moving the brush to its upper position at or above the suction inlet.

Further, I provide a toggle joint in the space which is pivotally connected at its upper end to a wall of the space and at its lower end to the diaphragm and the bend of which is arranged to move horizontally responsive to vertical movement of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm moves upward it causes the toggle bend to move in one direction through dead center to promote movement of the brush to its upper position; and when the diaphragm moves downward with the aid of the spring, it causes the toggle bend to move in the opposite direction to a stable position near dead center at which the toggle joint and bnish function to support the nozzle when a floor is cleaned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view generally similar to FIG. 1 showing parts in different positions with respect to one another;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top perspective view of interior parts of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view partly broken away and in section of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view ofdetails seen in FIGS. 1,2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, the multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle embodying my invention comprises an elongated hollow body 9 which comprises top and bottom parts 10 and 11, respectively, having a flexible diaphragm l3 therebetween to provide top and bottom spaces 24a and 24b, respectively. The top and bottom parts 10 and 11 are detachably connected together in any suitable manner (not shown).

The peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 13 is clamped between the abutting outer edges of the body parts 10 and I1 and formed with an enlarged head 14 which serves as a bumper to protect objects against which the nozzle 9 may strike when being moved back and forth over a surface being cleaned. The diaphragm l3 desirably is formed of a suitable elastomeric material like rubber, for example.

The hollow body 9 is provided with an upwardly inclined tubular member 12. The tubular member 12 serves as an outlet socket adapted to be connected to a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, such as a suction cleaner, for example. The outlet socket 12 forms part of a passageway through which air is drawn from an elongated air inlet 16 at the bottom of the nozzle. The air inlet 16, which may be referred to as a suction inlet, comprises a plurality of open grooves 16a which are adjacent to one another and formed in the bottom of a flat part 11a of the bottom plate 11. The open grooves 16a are defined by spaced ribs 11b which depend downward from the flat part 11a of the bottom plate 1 I.

The passageway for flowing air from the suction inlet 16 to the outlet socket 12 may be provided in any suitable manner. As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5, the bottom of the flat part 11a of the bottom plate 11 may be provided with an open groove 16b which is intermediate the ends of the grooves 16a and intersects the latter. The suction effect produced in the outlet socket 12 by a suction cleaner can be transmitted through a connection 8 to the open grooves 16b and 16a, as shown in FIG. 3.

The outlet socket 12 and top part 10 of the hollow body 9 are apertured at 8, as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 4, to establish communication between the top space 24a and the passageway for flowing air from the suction inlet 16 to the outlet socket 12 and from the latter to a suction cleaner (not shown) which is adapted to be connected to the outlet socket in a conventional manner. One or more apertures 8' may be distributed in the air passageway leading to the suction inlet 16.

The part 11a of the bottom plate 11 provides an operating surface of the nozzle to perform a specific type of cleaning of porous objects like a carpet or rug 7, for example, which is shown in FIG. 2. Air is drawn to the air outlet socket 12 from the suction inlet 16 in a path of flow which includes the open grooves 16a and 16b and connection 8.

A four-sided brush 18 of annular form is disposed at the vicinity of the suction inlet 16. The brush 18, which comprises parallel sides 18a and 18b and connecting ends 18c, includes bristles 18d fixed to a brush back 182 of annular form, as shown in FIG. 3. The sides 18a and 18b of brush 18 are held at 170 and 17b at the underside ofa brush support 17 to which is fixed an arm or lever 19 angularly movable at 20a on a shaft 20 fixed to the bottom body part 11 in any suitable manner. Hence, the brush support 17 and angularly movable arm 19 forming a unitary part of such support are angularly movable in the bottom space 24b below the diaphragm 13.

The diaphragm 13 is formed with a cup-shaped portion which receives the open cup-shaped member 21. The member 21, which snugly nests in the cup-shaped portion of the diaphragm 13, is provided with a flange 22 at its open end. The cup-shaped portion of the diaphragm 13 is clamped in any suitable manner (not shown) between the flange 22 and vertical walls 17:: of the brush support 17.

It will now be understood that the brush support 17, cupshaped portion of the diaphragm 13 and cup-shaped member 21 form a unitary component of the nozzle and are angularly movable as a unit when angular movement is imparted to the arm or lever 19. The diaphragm 13 is provided with a corrugated section 23 of annular form which is closely adjacent to the flange 22.

The bottom plate 11 is apertured at lie to receive the brush bristles 18d which move between upper and lower positions with respect to the suction inlet 16. When the brush 18 is in its upper position shown in FIG. 2 the part 11a of the bottom plate 11 functions to effect cleaning of porous objects like a rug or carpet, for example, as explained above. When the brush 18 is in its lower position below the suction inlet 16, the brush is adapted to efi'ect cleaning of non-porous objects like a floor 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. A coil spring 25 is provided in the top space 24a with its upper end bearing against the top part 10 of the nozzle body and its lower end bearing against the bottom 26 of the cup-shaped member 21. Hence, the spring 25 tends to urge the brush 18 to its lower position shown in FIG. 1.

When the nozzle is moved over a non-porous or relatively smooth surface like the floor 6, for example, and a suction cleaner is connected to the outlet socket 12 and being operated to provide a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, a partial vacuum of a first magnitude will be developed in the top space 24a when the air flow from the suction inlet 16 to the outlet socket 12 past the one or more apertures 8 exceeds a predetermined speed. Under these conditions the partial vacuum in the top space 24a will be ineffective to overcome the biasing action of the spring 25 and the latter will act on the diaphragm 13 and tend to move the brush l8 downward to the position shown in FIG. 1. When the brush 18 engages the floor 6, dust and dirt will be drawn into the suction inlet 16 by a pneumatic force which is dependent upon the difference between atmospheric pressure and the vacuum or suction developed at the suction inlet 16 by the suction cleaner.

When the nozzle is moved over a porous object like the carpet 7 in FIG. 2, the dust and dirt must be sucked or drawn from the pores of the object and the pneumatic force just referred to must be greater to bodily move the dust and dirt particles into the suction inlet 16. This force is dependent upon positive atmospheric pressure at one side of the dust particles and a pressure at the opposite side thereof which is below atmospheric pressure.

In FIG. 2, therefore, a partial vacuum of a second magnitude will be developed in the space 240 which exceeds the aforementioned first magnitude when the air flow from the suction inlet 16 to the outlet socket 12 past the one or more apertures 8 is at or less than the aforementioned predetermined speed. Under these conditions the partial vacuum in the top space 24a will be effective to overcome the biasing action of the spring 25 and move the diaphragm 13 upward which in turn can raise the brush 18 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position above the suction inlet 16 in which the brush moves to its non-cleaning position.

It has been explained above that, when the nozzle is employed to clean a non-porous surface like a floor after it has been employed to clean a porous surface like a rug, the spring 25 tends to return the brush 18 from its upper position to its lower position shown in FIG. 1. In practice, however, the spring 25 by itself often is not capable of urging the brush 18 from its upper to its lower position because the downward force produced by the spring and applied to the brush support 17 and arm 19 is very small.

In accordance with my invention, I provide structure which becomes operable, with the aid of the spring 25, to effect movement of the brush 18 from its upper to its lower position shown in FIG. 1 when the nozzle is employed to clean a floor or other smooth surface after it has been employed to clean a carpet or rug. This structure comprises linkage mechanism LM including a top link'27 and a bottom link 28 pivotally connected to one another at 29. The top link 27 is pivotally connected at 32 to the underside of the top part 10 of the body 9, and the bottom link 28 extends downward into the cup-shaped member 21 and is fixed at 33 to the bottom 26 thereof. It will now be evident that the links 27 and 28 form a toggle joint having its bend at 29.

Further, the bottom link 28 is provided with an arm 30 which extends from the upper end thereof toward the corrugated section 23 of the diaphragm 13 and is provided with a flat end part 31 which overlies the corrugated section 23 when the brush 18 is in its lower position, as shown in FIG. 1. Hence, the bottom link 28 and arm 30, which is more or less at a right angle thereto, form an L-shaped member.

When the nozzle is employed to clean a non-porous surface like a floor 6, as shown in FIG. 1, and a partial vacuum of the first magnitude is produced in the top space 24a, the toggle joint formed by the linkage mechanism LM is in a stable position with the links 27 and 28 more or less vertical. Under these conditions, the load on the nozzle, with the aid of the links 27 and 28, is supported by the brush 18. When the load on the nozzle is increased, the links 27 and 28 will only deflect a slight amount from their vertical positions shown in FIG. 1 because such deflecting movement will be prevented by the arm 30 which has its outer end part 31 contacting the corrugated section 23 of the diaphragm 13. With this arrangement the linkage mechanism LM and brush 18 will tend to remain in their positions shown in FIG. 1 when the load on the nozzle is increased.

When the nozzle now is moved from the floor 6 in FIG. 1 to the rug or carpet 7 in FIG. 2, a partial vacuum of the second higher magnitude will be developed in the space 24a, as explained above, whereby the partial vacuum in space 24a will be effective to overcome the biasing action of the spring 25 and move the diaphragm 13 upward. When this occurs the corrugated section 23 of the diaphragm 13 and regions adjacent thereto will initially flex upward and immediately impart upward movement to the arm 30. Such upward movement of the arm 30 shifts the pivotal connection or bend of the toggle joint horizontally toward the left in FIG. 1. Whenthe pivotal connection 29 shifts from the right to the left in FIG. 1 past dead center, the remaining portions of the diaphragm 13 will be free to flex upward, thereby moving the brush 18 from its lower position in FIG. I to its upper position in FIG. 2. The retention of the position of the brush 18 in FIG. 1 is not dependent on the arm 30 and its outer end part 31 when the nozzle is only employed to clean a non-porous surface like the floor 6. The linkage mechanism LM will shift from its position shown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FIG. 1 only when the nozzle is lifted from the carpet 7 and again positioned on a nonporous surface like the floor 6.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the arm 30 and outer end part 31 desirably are so constructed and formed that, when the diaphragm 13 flexes upward due to the second higher partial vacuum developed in the top space 24a, only an extremely small upward movement of the arm 30 will be effective to shift the pivotal connection 29 from one side to the opposite side of dead center in the manner just explained. Even when the linkage mechanism LM is required to transmit a very great load from the nozzle body 9 to the brush 18, the proper construction of the arm 30 and outer end part 31 effects the aforementioned shifting of dead center of the pivotal connection 29 responsive to a relatively small force imparted by section 23 of the diaphragm 13.

When the nozzle now is moved from the rug 7 in FIG. 2 to the floor 6 in FIG. 1, movement of the brush 18 from its upper position in FIG. 2 to its lower position in FIG. 1 is promoted when the nozzle is lifted a small distance. However, the nozzle body 9 can be formed of light-weight material and the toggle joint or linkage mechanism LM, with it operating arm 30, can be so dimensioned that the links 27 and 28 will, with the aid of the biasing action of the spring 25, automatically move from their deflected positions to their more or less vertical positions in FIG. 1 providing the nozzle is not subjected to additional downward force when the links 27 and 28 are shifting from their positions in FIG. 2 to their positions in FIG. 1. After the link members 27 and 28 are moved to their stable position in FIG. I, the nozzle can, of course, be subjected to a great load.

It sometimes occurs that, when a multi-purpose nozzle like that shown and just described is employed, it is desirable to effect brushing of a carpet or rug while conventional cleaning of such a surface is being effected. In such event, the nozzle embodying my invention can be so constructed and formed that, when the brush 18 has been moved to its upper position to what would normally be a non-cleaning position, one side of the brush 18 can be at such a level that the tips of the bristles 18d lightly contact the rug 7 at 34, as shown in FIG. 2.

I claim:

1. A multi-purpose suction nozzle comprising structure including first and second operating surfaces for performing different types of cleaning, means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating surface, pneumatically operable shifting means, said structure including a stationary part, means comprising a toggle joint operatively connecting said stationary part and said second operating surface, means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means to move said second operating surface to its upper position, said toggle joint having at least one stable position, and means including said toggle joint in said stable position and said second operating surface for supporting the nozzle when said second operating surface is in its lower position and functioning to clean an object with which it is in contact.

2, A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said toggle joint is vertically disposed in said stable position.

3. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said toggll1e joint comprises two links and means pivotally connecting t e inner ends of said links, and said means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means comprising an element operatively associated with one of said links.

4. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which said element comprises an elongated member in which the part thereof most removed from the bend of said toggle joint is in the path of movement of said shifting means at least in said stable position of said toggle joint.

5. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 4 in which said shifting means comprises a flexible diaphragm movable back and forth, means providing a passageway having an inlet at said first operating surface and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, said diaphragm being operable pneumatically by a body of air in a space in communication with said passageway and having a partial vacuum whose magnitude is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the object to be cleaned to move said second operating surface to its upper and lower positions, said means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between its upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating member including provisions for connecting said first operating surface to said diaphragm, and said diaphragm and said elongated member and said toggle joint being so constructed and formed that, when said diaphragm flexes in one direction to impart upward movement to said second operating surface, movement is imparted to said elongated member to effect horizontal movement of the bend of said toggle joint through dead center to shift the links thereof from a stable position to enable said diaphragm to continue flexing in said one direction and raise said second operating surface to its upper position.

6. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said part of said elongated member most removed from the bend of said toggle joint comprises a flat part which, in the stable position of said toggle joint, bears against a region of said diaphragm.

7. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 6 in which said region of said diaphragm is corrugated. 

1. A multi-purpose suction nozzle comprising structure including first and second operating surfaces for performing different types of cleaning, means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating surface, pneumatically operable shifting means, said structure including a stationary part, means comprising a toggle joint operatively connecting said stationary part and said second operating surface, means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means to move said second operating surface to its upper position, said toggle joint having at least one stable position, and means including said toggle joint in said stable position and said second operating surface for supporting the nozzle when said second operating surface is in its lower position and functioning to clean an object with which it is in contact.
 2. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said toggle joint is vertically disposed in said stable position.
 3. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said toggle joint comprises two links and means pivotally connecting the inner ends of said links, and said means for applying force to the bend of said toggle joint responsive to movement of said shifting means comprising an element operatively associated with one of said links.
 4. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which said element comprises an elongated member in which the part thereof most removed from the bend of said toggle joint is in the path of movement of said shifting means at least in said stable position of said toggle joint.
 5. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 4 in which said shifting means comprises a flexible diaphragm movable back and forth, means providing a passageway having an inlet at said first operating surface and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, said diaphragm being operable pneumatically By a body of air in a space in communication with said passageway and having a partial vacuum whose magnitude is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the object to be cleaned to move said second operating surface to its upper and lower positions, said means for mounting said second operating surface on said structure to reciprocate between its upper and lower positions with respect to said first operating member including provisions for connecting said first operating surface to said diaphragm, and said diaphragm and said elongated member and said toggle joint being so constructed and formed that, when said diaphragm flexes in one direction to impart upward movement to said second operating surface, movement is imparted to said elongated member to effect horizontal movement of the bend of said toggle joint through dead center to shift the links thereof from a stable position to enable said diaphragm to continue flexing in said one direction and raise said second operating surface to its upper position.
 6. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said part of said elongated member most removed from the bend of said toggle joint comprises a flat part which, in the stable position of said toggle joint, bears against a region of said diaphragm.
 7. A suction nozzle as set forth in claim 6 in which said region of said diaphragm is corrugated. 